Los Angeles Trails

Trails in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is America's second biggest city and while Los Angeles County has a population of over 10 million people, it also has a high number of hiking trails. In fact, hikespeak.com has a list of over 150 hike in Los Angeles County! Whether your are looking for something thrilling or relaxing, a breathtaking ocean view or a lofty summit, Los Angeles has a trail for you.

Finding the Right Trail

With so many trails to choose from, how will you pick your next hike? Out-of-towners and locals may enjoy hiking to the Hollywood Sign. There are a few ways to get to the sign, so check out Hollywoodsignhikes.com for more information.

Looking for something else? Scroll through the categories below to see lists and slideshows of the top rated* trails fitting these criteria:

Fish Canyon NarrowsThis 10.5-mile hike explores an enchanting narrow canyon on the east side of the Angeles National Forest in the Sierra Pelona Mountains north of Santa Clarita.Zuma Canyon NarrowsThis challenging 8-mile loop includes an off-trail trek through the narrows above Zuma Canyon Trail before returning via Zuma Ridge Trail where ocean views await.Bridge to NowhereThis adventurous 10-mile hike requires several river crossings to reach an out-of-place bridge with a unique history.Malibu Creek GorgeThis off-trail adventure explores the C-shaped gorge between Rock Pool and Century Lake in Malibu Creek State Park.Rustic Canyon's Murphy RanchThis 4 to 5-mile adventure visits the ruins of an abandoned commune built by Nazi sympathizers in an overgrown canyon east of the Will Rogers State Historic Park.

Vanalden CaveThis 0.6-mile hike explores a unique sandstone cave that you can stand inside and above, and the hike can be extended to 1.55 miles by visiting a nearby vista point with a panoramic perspective of the Santa Monica Mountains.Bronson CaveBronson Cave in Griffith Park" alt="This short easy hike visits a man-made cave recognizable as the Batcave from the Batman TV series and hundreds of other locations on TV and film.Dawn MineThis 6-mile hike venture up lust Millard Canyon above Millard Falls to an old gold mine.The GrottoThis 3.5-mile hike visits a creek flowing through a talus cave in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.Cave of MunitsThis 2.1-mile loop crosses through an impressive cave to climb to a rocky peak with views over the San Fernando Valley.

The M*A*S*H SiteThis 4.75-hike visits the site where the exteriors of the film and television show MASH were filmed, an area that is preserved by Malibu Creek State Park.Paramount RanchThis 0.25 to 4-mile hike explores a segment of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that includes Western Town, an outdoor set cast as frontier towns in TV and film since the 1950s.Vasquez RocksThis 3.4 to5.9-mile loop offers a dose of desert hiking close to LA, incorporating a piece of the Pacific Crest Trail to explore striking sandstone formations that appeared in Star Trek, Blazing Saddles, The Flintstones, and other shows and movies.Bronson CaveThis short easy hike visits a man-made cave recognizable as the Batcave from the Batman TV series and hundreds of other locations on TV and film.Trebek Open SpaceThis 1 to 2.5-mile hike explores a park next to Runyon Canyon that is named after Alex Trebek, who donated the land for the open space.

Echo Mountain via Sam Merril TrailThis 5.8-mile hike visits a historic railway and ruins from a century old resort overlooking Pasadena.Rustic Canyon's Murphy RanchThis 4 to 5-mile adventure visits the ruins of an abandoned commune built by Nazi sympathizers in an overgrown canyon east of the Will Rogers State Historic Park.Old Zoo Picnic AreaThis short 0.5-mile hike explores the abandoned exhibits and animal cages in the ruins of the old LA Zoo in Griffith Park.Solstice CanyonThis level 2.6-mile hike visits the ruins of a burned down ranch built alongside a creek and a small waterfall.Dawn MineThis 6-mile hike venture up lust Millard Canyon above Millard Falls to an old gold mine.

Vanalden CaveThis 0.6-mile hike explores a unique sandstone cave that you can stand inside and above, and the hike can be extended to 1.55 miles by visiting a nearby vista point with a panoramic perspective of the Santa Monica Mountains.Point DumeThis 1-mile hike explores overlooks on a scenic headland jutting into the Pacific at the northeast end of Santa Monica Bay in Malibu.Amir's GardenThis 1-mile hike reaches a relaxing garden on the east side of Griffith Park that is a pleasant retreat for hikers.Skull RockThis 1.5-mile hike descends Temescal Ridge to a head-shaped formation with great views over Santa Monica Bay.Quarry LoopThis 1.25-mile loop in Forrestal Nature Reserve delivers lots of ocean views as it circles an old bowl-shaped quarry.

Trebek Open SpaceThis 1 to 2.5-mile hike incorporated Bantam Trail and Castair Trail in a park adjacent to Runyon Canyon.Hastain TrailThis pair of short loops (1.8 or 2.2 miles) explore a ridge in the Santa Monica Mountains above Beverly Hills.Inspiration PointThis easy 2.25-mile loop in Will Rogers State Historic Park leads to an overlook with views from Santa Monica Bay to downtown LA.Mandeville Canyon LoopThis 5-mile loop incorporates trails up the ridges on both sides of Brentwood's Mandeville Canyon to visit the historic towers on San Vicente Mountain.Azusa Peak and Glendora Peak via Garcia TrailAzusa Peak and Glendora Peak via Garcia Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains" alt="This 2 2/3-mile or 4 2/3-mile hike ascends Garcia Trail to "the A" and one or two picturesque summits along Glendora Ridge Motorway.